Collaborative research
TSRC researchers sometimes conduct research with partner organisations, which sits outside of its dedicated workstreams. This research utilises the centre's expertise on the third sector.
Latest partnership research includes:
Independent evaluation of Shelter programme
Since 2007, The University of Birmingham and Merida Associates have been involved in a longitudinal evaluation of a Shelter initiative, Keys to the Future (KTTF). KTTF aims to prevent homelessness amongst families, children and young people, improve the outcomes for children experiencing homelessness and raise national policy awareness of, and responses to, the impact of homelessness on children's lives.
Seven interim evaluation reports have recently been published and involved Third Sector Research Centre staff. These cover individual local KTTF projects in England and Scotland, provide an overview of legal and influencing work in each nation as well as offering a summary overview of the programme as a whole. Reports and more information available here
Research contact: Angus McCabe
The effect of twins and multiple birth on families and their living standards
Professor Steve McKay, of the Third Sector Research Centre, worked with the Twin and Multiple Birth Association (TAMBA) on research into the costs and implications of multiple births. This report, compiled for TAMBA, shows that parents of multiple birth children are more likely than other parents to experience both material deprivation and family breakdown.
See report for more details
Northern Rock Foundation - Third Sector Trend Study
Professor John Mohan, Deputy Director of TSRC, leads the quantitative research for this collaborative research programme on the scale, dynamics and needs of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in North East England and Cumbria. More details
Beyond 'flat earch' maps of the third sector - see report
Evaluation of ChangeUp
The Third Sector Research Centre, in collaboration with BMG Research, Guidestar and Sustain Consultancy, was comissioned to provide independent evaluation of the ChangeUp programme. The first phase of this evaluation has now been published. The report notes that there has been 'significant distance travelled at both national and local levels', especially in terms collaboration, effeciency and focus within local infrastructure organisations. However, the report leaves question marks over the extent of ChangeUp's impact on front line organisations.
More
Policy and future sources of EU funding for the social economy
This report was prepared by Andrea Westall, for the Third Angle Partnership. It explores future sources of EU funding for the social economy. It looks at potential funding in the context of new policy priorities, created by the 2007-2013 multi-annual Financial Framework within the EU.
Its recommendations include an increased understanding of the potential of social economy to meet EU objectives and an expansion of research programmes beyond science and technology.
The report can be found here
The rural social economy: surviving the credit crunch
This report by Angus McCabe examines the effect of the recession on social enterprise in a rural economy, through a case study of a community owned village shop.
Read case study